Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Underground Utilities, Inc., via the City’s Invitation For Bid Process for the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements, CIP No. 690236-100102, in an amount up to $5,456,819.78, and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $5,458,819.78.
Work consists of open-cut installation of approximately 9,500 linear feet of 6-inch and 8-inch water mains, connecting to existing water taps, as well as the replacement of privately owned lead and galvanized water service lines, and other such work as may be necessary to complete the contract in accordance with the drawings, technical specifications, special provisions, and City of Columbus Construction and Material specifications set forth in this Invitation For Bid (IFB).
The streets include Aragon Avenue, South Hamilton Road Service Road, Keeler Court, Cushing Drive, Cunard Road, Rochelle Place, Lockwood Road, Billie Drive, Bryden Park Road, Sherwood Road, Orlando Court, Worcester Court, Birkdale Court, Effingham Road, Persimmon Place, Indian Mound Court and Naiche Court.
The Columbus Community designation is; 57-Mid-East.
TIMELINE:
Work is anticipated to be completed within 550 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. The City anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed in September 2025. Work will continue until the project is completed and accepted by the City.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT:
The bid amount and proposed award amount is $5,456,819.78, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $5,456,819.78
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $5,456,819.78
DPS Prevailing Wage Administration $ 2,000.00
$5,458,819.78
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The goal of this project is to replace or rehabilitate the existing water lines that have a high break frequency. Replacement of these water lines will improve water service, decrease burden on water maintenance operations, and reduce water loss. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) has been contacted and informed of this project during the design phase. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD
An Invitation for Bids for the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project was advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from May 6, 2025 through June 11, 2025. Five bids were received for the project and opened on June 11, 2025. The following companies submitted bids:
Company Bid Amount Compliance Number
Underground Utilities, Inc. $5,456,819.78 CC006588
Driven Excavating, Inc. $6,273,949.76 CC033459
Danbert, Inc. $6,535,930.19 CC004618
Elite Excavating Co. of Ohio, Inc. $6,800,724.50 CC001064
JLD Construction $6,981,046.05 CC041179
Underground Utilities, Inc.'s bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $5,456,819.78.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Underground Utilities, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC006588, expired 2/17/25, and will need to be renewed.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Underground Utilities, Inc. or their subcontractors.
As part of their proposal, Underground Utilities, Inc., has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State Contract Compliance Status
Strawser Paving Co. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Smith Paving Norwalk, Ohio MAJ
Chuck’s Septic Tank, sewer & Drain Clean Grove City, Ohio MAJ
The certification of Underground Utilities, Inc., and all proposed subcontractors are not in good standing at the time the bid was awarded. Underground Utilities and Chuck’s Septic Tank, Sewer & Drain Cleaning both have expired contract compliance that need to be renewed.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Underground Utilities, Inc. and all subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
The construction portion of this project is anticipated to be financed with a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), a program jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 0348-2025, passed by Council on 4/28/25. The loan is expected to be approved in August, 2025. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, in the amount of $5,456,819.78.
Funds in the amount of $2,000.00 are available and appropriated within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, Project 690236, to pay the Department of Public Service to perform prevailing wage services for the project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Underground Utilities, Inc., for the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $5,456,819.78 from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund for the contract; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for the project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund to pay for prevailing wage services. ($5,458,819.78)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, five bids for the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project were received and opened on June 11, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid was from Underground Utilities, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Underground Utilities, Inc. for the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0348-2025, passed by Council on 4/28/25, authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA); and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and expend funds from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, to pay for the construction of this project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon loan approval for construction of the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements project by the Ohio Water Development Authority which is anticipated to occur in August of 2025; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to pay the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services for this project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources, and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, the sum of $5,456,819.78 is appropriated in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, per the account codes in the funding attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Aragon Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project with Underground Utilities, Inc., 416 W. Monroe Street, Monroeville, OH 44847, in an amount up to $5,456,819.78; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary prevailing wage services for this project from the Department of Public Services in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account loan for this project.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $5,458,819.78, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this contract per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 8. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.